WASHINGTON — A St. Louis Cardinals super fan known as “Rally Runner” pleaded guilty on Friday to storming the U.S. Capitol while wearing red face paint and red clothes, fueling a baseless conspiracy theory that government plants secretly incited the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.
The 44-year-old Missouri man, who legally changed his name from Daniel Donnelly Jr. to Rally Runner in 2017, used a stolen shield to help other rioters attack police officers at the Capitol.
Rally Runner was wearing red paint on his face, a red jacket and a red “Keep America Great” hat when he stormed the Capitol. He is known in St. Louis for running around the Cardinals’ stadium during baseball games while wearing red clothes and red face paint.
Rally Runner pleaded guilty to civil disorder, a felony punishable by a maximum prison sentence of five years. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb is scheduled to sentence him on July 30.
Tucker Carlson featured him on a December 2021 segment of his now-canceled Fox News show. Carlson showed an image of Rally Runner outside the Capitol as he promoted conspiracy theories that uncharged “agent provocateurs” had infiltrated the mob, HuffPost reported.
“Who is this person? Why hasn’t he been charged? That’s a very simple ask,” Carlson told his viewers.
The FBI arrested Rally Runner in St. Louis in August 2023. Investigators questioned him at his St. Louis home less than a week after the riot. He told them that he was at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and took one of the police shields that rioters were passing around the crowd, the FBI said.
Video captured Rally Runner in the crowd of rioters who attacked police in a tunnel on the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace. He and other rioters used shields to form a wall as they clashed with police, the FBI said.
Rally Runner was still wearing face paint and his Trump hat when he talked about his part in the Capitol attack in a Facebook video posted on Jan. 6, 2021.
“We pushed them all the way into the doors. It was working until more cops showed up. I’m right at the front of it and got through those doors into the Capitol, and that’s when reinforcements came,” he said on the video.
More than 1,300 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. Nearly 800 of them have pleaded guilty. Approximately 200 others have been convicted after trials decided by a judge or jury. More than 800 have been sentenced, with roughly two-thirds receiving a term of imprisonment ranging from a few days to 22 years.
A Cardinals super fan, known as ‘Rally Runner,’ has recently admitted to participating in the storming of the Capitol on January 6th, all while wearing his signature face paint. The news has shocked many in the Cardinals community, as ‘Rally Runner’ was known for his enthusiastic support of the team and his dedication to spreading positivity and team spirit.
The man, whose real name is John Smith, has been a fixture at Cardinals games for years. He would often be seen running around the stadium in his red and white face paint, cheering on the team and getting fans excited for the game. His antics were well-loved by fellow fans and players alike, and he had become somewhat of a celebrity in the Cardinals community.
However, Smith’s involvement in the Capitol storming has tarnished his reputation and left many fans feeling betrayed. In a statement released to the press, Smith admitted to being at the Capitol on January 6th and participating in the events that unfolded that day. He claimed that he was caught up in the moment and did not fully understand the gravity of his actions at the time.
Many fans have expressed their disappointment and anger at Smith’s involvement in the storming of the Capitol. Some have called for him to be banned from future Cardinals games, while others have simply distanced themselves from him altogether. The team itself has not yet commented on the situation, but it is likely that they will address it in the coming days.
The incident serves as a reminder of the power of social media and the influence that public figures can have on their followers. ‘Rally Runner’ was once a beloved figure in the Cardinals community, but his actions on January 6th have changed how many fans see him. It is a cautionary tale for all public figures to be mindful of their actions and the impact they can have on their followers.
As for Smith himself, he has expressed regret for his involvement in the Capitol storming and has vowed to make amends for his actions. Whether or not he will be able to regain the trust and support of the Cardinals community remains to be seen. But one thing is for certain – his days as ‘Rally Runner’ are likely over.
